Mattafix released their first single "11.30 (Dirtiest Trick In Town)" as a limited edition single on Buddhist Punk Records on 31st January 2005. Their first full single, "Big City Life", released by EMI on 8th August 2005 was a considerable hit, managing a #15 peak on the official UK chart, a big feat for a UK R&B/hip-hop group, and topped the charts in Germany, Czech, Austria and other European countries. Their third single, "Passer By" was released on 24th October 2005, unfortunately missing the UK top 75. The single preceded their debut album "Signs Of A Struggle", which was released a week later on 31st October 2005.
The group have toured with the likes of Jamiroquai and Joss Stone on their UK tours. The fourth single from their debut album, "Signs Of A Struggle" was "To & Fro", which features backing vocals from former Sugababe Siobhan Donaghy. The single was released as a download only single on 13th March 2006.
Big City Life debuted at #19 on the Australian Music Charts and reached #1 on the New Zealand Singles Chart.
Signs Of A Struggle was a Triple J feature album in April 2006.
In April 2010, Marlon Roudette made a video appearance where he spoke about recording and making the record in his home-based studio. However, via Facebook, it was announced that Roudette and Hirji had gone separate ways, due to their different new ideas for future projects, which has brought abundant attention to fans. He is yet to come up with his new artist name; whether to stay with the name Mattafix, or choose a new stage name; perhaps his own. "Mattafix presents...Marlon..." was a quote from a late 2010 YouTube video, as an updated possibility for his album title and/or stage name. Marlon Roudette has confirmed that the new album is "not a radical shift but definitely different. More instrumentation and more in depth musical compositions." Marlon Roudette has stated that the album is pretty much completed, but the album is still being "fine tuned". His first solo album Matter Fixed was released on 2 September 2011. His sophomore effort Electric Soul on 8 August 2014.
The Forgotten
Mattafix Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Converted. Disadvantaged. Nothing granted. Will they ever get my message?
And how soon will I have to think when allowed to? Lonely in this commune.
Given away. Giving them names. I hoped you were with me. The world is far too busy now.
The nation has forgotten me.
Several times severed lines which means,
Patience with hypocracy.
Severed ties, several lies over me.
Right over me, right over me.
Justice is but a promise from the dishonest. Where do I stand in all this?
So long they have chosen even my opinions, while I remain forgotten.
I'm evading the main thing. Frozen but ageing, while I'm left debating.
Whether or not I'm worth a lot. To waste away. To have another say now.
The nation has forgotten me.
Several times severed lines which means,
Patience with hypocracy.
Only misery.
Severed ties, several lies over me.
Right, right over me, right, right over me.
Oh, over me.
But wait, wait nah man.
I ever show you de scene when babylon come approach me?
Man, ah long story dat you know.
You see when dem wha come fight yo down fi di wrong ting,
And nah protect dem end?
A sign of struggle you know, a sign of struggle partner,
Hol on.
The nation has forgotten me.
Several times severed lines which means,
Patience with hypocracy.
Only misery.
Severed ties, several lies over me.
The nation has forgotten me.
Several times severed lines which means,
Patience with hypocracy.
Only misery, only misery.
Severed ties, several lies over me.
Right, right over me, right over me.
The lyrics to Mattafix's "The Forgotten" tell a story of an individual who has been abandoned and left to fend for themselves in a small and lonely room. The person feels as though they have been disregarded by the nation and justice system and are being ignored by the busy world around them. The writer recognizes the hypocrisy in society and how rarely justice is served honestly. Throughout the song, the singer expresses a feeling of isolation and neglect, and they question their own self-worth.
The chorus repeats the line "The nation has forgotten me," demonstrating a deep sense of abandonment and hopelessness. The verses provide details of the individual's current situation and the struggles they face, such as having their opinions ignored and being seen as disposable. The final verse introduces a conversation with someone else who has been oppressed and discriminated against by those in power, adding to the theme of societal neglect and injustice.
Overall, the song is a poignant commentary on the ways in which individuals can be left behind by society and forgotten. The lyrics convey powerful emotions of hopelessness and isolation, making it a relatable and impactful reflection on the personal and societal hardships we face.
Line by Line Meaning
Vacuum. Not even a court room. Just me in a small room, that has become a tomb.
Feeling empty and alone, without any sense of justice or legal recourse, trapped in an isolated space that has become like a prison.
Converted. Disadvantaged. Nothing granted. Will they ever get my message?
Having been transformed into something different and being at a disadvantage, with no help or support given. Wondering if anyone will ever hear what I have to say.
And how soon will I have to think when allowed to? Lonely in this commune.
Questioning when I will be able to think for myself again and feel less lonely in this place where I am surrounded by others but still feel isolated.
Given away. Giving them names. I hoped you were with me. The world is far too busy now.
Feeling like I have given up parts of myself and my identity and hoping for the support of others, but realizing that the world is too preoccupied with its own agenda to care about my struggles.
Justice is but a promise from the dishonest. Where do I stand in all this?
Recognizing that promises of justice are often made by those who cannot be trusted, and wondering where I fit into this system that seems to have forgotten me.
So long they have chosen even my opinions, while I remain forgotten.
Feeling like my thoughts and ideas have been taken away from me and that I have been left behind by those who are supposed to represent me.
I'm evading the main thing. Frozen but ageing, while I'm left debating. Whether or not I'm worth a lot. To waste away. To have another say now.
Avoiding the main issue, feeling stagnant and getting older, while I am left to question my own worth and whether or not I am valuable enough to make a difference or if it is all for nothing.
But wait, wait nah man. I ever show you de scene when babylon come approach me? Man, ah long story dat you know. You see when dem wha come fight yo down fi di wrong ting, And nah protect dem end? A sign of struggle you know, a sign of struggle partner, Hol on.
Interrupting the narrative to discuss a time when the authorities came to fight against me for something I did not do, and how this is a sign of the ongoing struggles and injustices faced by many.
The nation has forgotten me. Several times severed lines which means, Patience with hypocracy. Only misery. Severed ties, several lies over me. Right, right over me, right, right over me. Oh, over me.
Repeating the central idea that the country has forgotten about me, and that the broken promises and corruption have created a situation of misery with no hope for redress or relief.
Contributed by Mia A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.